After a successful winter campaign on a local water where he caught the venue’s two biggest residents (as reported on the ESP news page) Bristol angler Mark Drake has turned his attentions to another tricky low stock southern pit. After a good start earlier in the year when he accounted for a couple of 20s, the cold April weather lead to the lake ‘shutting up shop’ again. So it wasn’t until last week when Mark’s continued efforts were once again rewarded.
Arriving at the lake in the morning, Mark did a quick circuit and after not seeing much for most of the way round, eventually found evidence of some serious feeding activity in a small bay, with fish ‘sheeting up’ and head and shouldering. A couple of hinged stiff rigs were quickly dispatched to the active area, incorporating the trusty ESP size 5 Stiff Riggers and Stiff Bristle Filament with a Perfection Groundbaits Choc orange hook bait. Shortly afterwards a very big fish showed over the spot quickly followed by a screaming take. After an arm aching scrap the fish that had showed over the spot was safely landed – the lakes largest resident Moon Scale at 42lb 14oz!
It just goes to show proper observation and getting on the fish can bring a very quick result, even on the trickier venues. Well done Mark!
